FPS staff report
April 14, 2009
April is designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month across the nation.
The Carroll County Department of Job and Family Services is hosting a “Child Abuse Prevention Walk” April 18 beginning at 10 a.m. Demetrius Carrothers, social services supervisor said, “We are walking simply to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect. We are not asking for or accepting donations of any type.” The first 50 walkers will receive a free t-shirt and refreshments will be served after the walk. A ceremony for “Pinwheels for Prevention” will take place on the square following the walk. A pinwheel will be placed in honor of each victim reported in 2007.
Child abuse and neglect are preventable, yet each year in the United States close to one million children are confirmed victims of child maltreatment. In 2007, there were 81,733 reports of child abuse and neglect in the state of Ohio with 228 of these reports occurring in Carroll County. Of these reports, 66, were physical abuse; 68, neglect; 46, sexual abuse and 48, emotional maltreatment.
The first step to helping or getting help for an abused or neglected child is to know the warning signs.
Some signs are:
neglect-signs of malnutrition, poor hygiene or unattended medical or physical problems;
physical abuse-unexplained welts, bruises or burns;
sexual abuse-pain, bleeding, redness or swelling in the anal or genital area;
emotional abuse-extremes in behavior ranging from overly aggressive to overly passive.
Child abuse and neglect have pervasive and long-lasting effects on children, their families and the society. Adverse consequences for children’s development are often evident immediately in the areas of physical, emotional, social and cognitive. Children who have been abused or neglected are more likely to experience adverse outcomes throughout their life, such as: poor physical health-chronic fatigue, sexually transmitted diseases, obesity; poor emotional and mental health-depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
Other symptoms may include suicidal thoughts and attempts; social difficulties-insecure attachments with caregivers which may lead to difficulties developing trusting relationships; cognitive dysfunction-deficits in attention, language development which affect academic achievement and school performance; high-risk health behaviors including teen pregnancy, alcohol and substance abuse and behavioral problems, aggression, juvenile delinquency, abusive or violent behaviors.
To report suspected child abuse and or/neglect call 330-627-7313, Monday and Wednesday-Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 7:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. After business hours, call the Carroll County Sheriff’s office at 330-627-2141 and ask to speak with the children services on call worker. |
